First Person – worcester.mahttps://worcester.ma
The Worcester Sun, local news worth supportingWed, 21 Feb 2018 09:15:52 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.1The incredible story of Augustine Kanjia continues … Fighting for Fees and Respecthttps://worcester.ma/2017/12/the-incredible-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-fighting-for-fees-and-respect/
https://worcester.ma/2017/12/the-incredible-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-fighting-for-fees-and-respect/#respondSat, 16 Dec 2017 05:22:41 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=208085“When I entered the principal’s office, he laughed and asked for my receipt. He said that without the receipt, I was committing a crime by coming to school. He told me in a loud voice, ‘If education is expensive, try ignorance. Go quickly and bring your receipt.’ ”]]>https://worcester.ma/2017/12/the-incredible-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-fighting-for-fees-and-respect/feed/0A Mother’s Journey: Don’t starve the artistshttps://worcester.ma/2017/12/a-mothers-journey-dont-starve-the-artists/
https://worcester.ma/2017/12/a-mothers-journey-dont-starve-the-artists/#respondSat, 09 Dec 2017 07:44:43 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=204844The whole "We’d like to give you exposure in exchange for your work" bit is overrated, misguided and usually, false. Work is work is work. And no work should be done for free.]]>https://worcester.ma/2017/12/a-mothers-journey-dont-starve-the-artists/feed/0The incredible story of Augustine Kanjia continues … ‘Omolé’ Creates a Bigger Problemhttps://worcester.ma/2017/12/the-incredible-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-omole-creates-a-bigger-problem/
https://worcester.ma/2017/12/the-incredible-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-omole-creates-a-bigger-problem/#respondSun, 03 Dec 2017 05:27:15 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=202376“T-Boy had watched the omolé flow in the house. We were constantly selling and brewing. Many came to the house to get their shots. T-Boy had made arrangements to take some bottles out to sell. But we were uncertain of his true motives.”]]>https://worcester.ma/2017/12/the-incredible-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-omole-creates-a-bigger-problem/feed/0The incredible story of Augustine Kanjia continues … Tragedy Falls on Our Doorstephttps://worcester.ma/2017/11/incredible-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-tragedy-falls-on-our-doorstep/
https://worcester.ma/2017/11/incredible-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-tragedy-falls-on-our-doorstep/#respondSun, 19 Nov 2017 05:14:55 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=197050“My grandmother was afraid, because the police would come to investigate why a woman died in front of our house. I was busy playing soccer that day, but seeing everyone running toward our house, I knew I should be there. It was an unpleasant scene. My uncles had to lift the woman up and my grandmother cleaned the place. And I stood there crying aloud.”]]>https://worcester.ma/2017/11/incredible-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-tragedy-falls-on-our-doorstep/feed/0The incredible journey of Augustine Kanjia continues … Lessons Abound as School and Home Collidehttps://worcester.ma/2017/10/the-incredible-journey-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-lessons-abound-as-school-and-home-collide/
https://worcester.ma/2017/10/the-incredible-journey-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-lessons-abound-as-school-and-home-collide/#respondSun, 22 Oct 2017 05:43:24 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=186110“I was getting thinner every day. I was also very resilient. Back with my grandmother and uncles in Motema, our only source of income was the illicitly brewed local moonshine, ‘omole,’ which was a hot commodity, sought either by those who drank it or the police who thought it was a drug and should not be consumed.”]]>https://worcester.ma/2017/10/the-incredible-journey-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-lessons-abound-as-school-and-home-collide/feed/0The incredible journey of Augustine Kanjia continues … My School of Hard Knockshttps://worcester.ma/2017/09/the-incredible-journey-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-my-school-of-hard-knocks/
https://worcester.ma/2017/09/the-incredible-journey-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-my-school-of-hard-knocks/#respondSun, 24 Sep 2017 05:12:40 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=174749“That morning I left with the intention that I would stay in school all day. I was wrong. I did not have the school uniform, neither did I have the admission. I returned to Motema in tears. A lot worked on my mind. It was all geared toward my return to school. It was hard for me. My grandmother was waiting for good news.”]]>https://worcester.ma/2017/09/the-incredible-journey-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-my-school-of-hard-knocks/feed/0A Mother’s Journey: The gentrification exasperationhttps://worcester.ma/2017/09/a-mothers-journey-the-gentrification-exasperation/
https://worcester.ma/2017/09/a-mothers-journey-the-gentrification-exasperation/#respondSun, 17 Sep 2017 03:05:24 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=172001“If Worcester can stop trying to be like everyone else for one second, it can make a difference in the lives of many small-business owners and residents. It can prevent the negative effects of gentrification and it can make Worcester the next vibrant destination for potential residents, developers and startups.”]]>https://worcester.ma/2017/09/a-mothers-journey-the-gentrification-exasperation/feed/0The incredible journey of Augustine Kanjia continues … Will My School Dreams Become a Nightmare?https://worcester.ma/2017/09/incredible-journey-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-will-my-school-dreams-become-a-nightmare/
https://worcester.ma/2017/09/incredible-journey-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-will-my-school-dreams-become-a-nightmare/#respondSun, 10 Sep 2017 03:37:09 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=169040“I decided to walk to freedom one day, just five days after my interview at the Wesley Secondary School. I went to the military barracks junction looking for any military personnel going to Freetown -- Bo, where my mother lived and my potential new school was located, was on the way. A truck was going by at 11 a.m.”]]>https://worcester.ma/2017/09/incredible-journey-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-will-my-school-dreams-become-a-nightmare/feed/0The incredible journey of Augustine Kanjia continues … Beyond My Limithttps://worcester.ma/2017/08/the-incredible-journey-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-beyond-my-limit/
https://worcester.ma/2017/08/the-incredible-journey-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-beyond-my-limit/#respondSun, 27 Aug 2017 05:04:52 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=163612Many unanswered questions came to mind. I hoped it was a boarding school because I could not travel from Daru to Segbwema every day, and I knew no one who lived in that town. Suffering was hanging over my head. I cried alone when I had no answers for these questions. I cried aloud at one point, prompting everyone in sight to look at me.]]>https://worcester.ma/2017/08/the-incredible-journey-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-beyond-my-limit/feed/0Augustine Kanjia’s incredible journey continues … A Good Result That Left Me in Tearshttps://worcester.ma/2017/08/augustine-kanjias-incredible-journey-continues-a-good-result-that-left-me-in-tears/
https://worcester.ma/2017/08/augustine-kanjias-incredible-journey-continues-a-good-result-that-left-me-in-tears/#respondSun, 13 Aug 2017 04:18:23 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=156119The teachers had to punish me for telling the headmaster what I should have kept secret. I was given 24 lashes with a stick. While in pain, my result was released. It cured me, but I was still in tears as I heard teachers talk about my good result but lack of money to even go for the intake interview. The days went by fast and I still had no money. Omolé, our illicitly distilled liquor, was helpful.]]>https://worcester.ma/2017/08/augustine-kanjias-incredible-journey-continues-a-good-result-that-left-me-in-tears/feed/0Augustine Kanjia’s incredible journey continues … Exam Day Distress Becomes Lesson in Perseverancehttps://worcester.ma/2017/07/augustine-kanjias-incredible-journey-continues-exam-day-distress-becomes-lesson-in-perseverance/
https://worcester.ma/2017/07/augustine-kanjias-incredible-journey-continues-exam-day-distress-becomes-lesson-in-perseverance/#respondSun, 30 Jul 2017 04:17:24 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=151436"We looked for shade to sit and wait for the others as we cooled down. Some children were wandering around, but it was a holiday for them because of the exams for us younger students. They bumped into us. I became their target since I was tiny and going to high school. One of them came and accused me of taking their ball, which was going to be the center of the problem."]]>https://worcester.ma/2017/07/augustine-kanjias-incredible-journey-continues-exam-day-distress-becomes-lesson-in-perseverance/feed/0Augustine Kanjia’s incredible journey continues … Part 43: More Hopes, Less Successhttps://worcester.ma/2017/07/augustine-kanjias-incredible-journey-continues-part-43-more-hopes-less-success/
https://worcester.ma/2017/07/augustine-kanjias-incredible-journey-continues-part-43-more-hopes-less-success/#respondSun, 16 Jul 2017 04:14:04 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=145861“I had little time to waste for Grannie’s call. She told me in Mende that she had the medicine to make me clever. She showed me the bottle and promised that I would be the best because it is from Bethlehem. I became more excited. She gave me some when we arrived home.”]]>https://worcester.ma/2017/07/augustine-kanjias-incredible-journey-continues-part-43-more-hopes-less-success/feed/0Augustine Kanjia’s incredible journey continues … Part 42: One Problem Opens the Door … For More Problemshttps://worcester.ma/2017/07/augustine-kanjias-incredible-journey-continues-part-42-one-problem-opens-the-door-for-more-problems/
https://worcester.ma/2017/07/augustine-kanjias-incredible-journey-continues-part-42-one-problem-opens-the-door-for-more-problems/#respondSun, 02 Jul 2017 04:46:49 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=140094This was a death trap. It was a bare ferry. It had no engine, it was manpower and cables attached to each shore that pulled it. I think that was the last of its type in the country. The water was dark and fearful, but its speed was terrific in the center. We crossed and had nearly made it to the other side. I then created a panic that remained in my grandmother’s mind for the rest of her days.]]>https://worcester.ma/2017/07/augustine-kanjias-incredible-journey-continues-part-42-one-problem-opens-the-door-for-more-problems/feed/0The unbelievably true story of Augustine Kanjia continues … Part 41: Major Problems Won’t Dissuade Mehttps://worcester.ma/2017/06/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-41-major-problems-wont-dissuade-me/
https://worcester.ma/2017/06/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-41-major-problems-wont-dissuade-me/#respondSun, 18 Jun 2017 04:19:07 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=132963I was on one of four soccer teams owned by one Mr. John. Whatever we did at school, my heart focused on what I would be doing after school. It was the most exciting thing above all. Well, our league had started just three days earlier.]]>https://worcester.ma/2017/06/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-41-major-problems-wont-dissuade-me/feed/0The unbelievably true story of Augustine Kanjia continues … Part 40: Poverty and Punishment Strike Hard as Mother Returnshttps://worcester.ma/2017/06/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-40-poverty-and-punishment-strike-hard-as-mother-returns/
https://worcester.ma/2017/06/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-40-poverty-and-punishment-strike-hard-as-mother-returns/#respondSun, 04 Jun 2017 04:22:41 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=126728“My eyes were red and full of tears. My classmates could not stop laughing, and Mr. Bangura enjoyed his job and continued punishing me hard.” With Augustine struggling at school and Grannie scrambling to make ends meet, Hannah comes back into the picture, but can she help?]]>https://worcester.ma/2017/06/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-40-poverty-and-punishment-strike-hard-as-mother-returns/feed/0The unbelievably true story of Augustine Kanjia continues … Part 39: Skipping School and Fooling the Policehttps://worcester.ma/2017/05/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-39-skipping-school-and-fooling-the-police/
https://worcester.ma/2017/05/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-39-skipping-school-and-fooling-the-police/#respondSun, 21 May 2017 04:31:11 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=120780"We arrived in our village about 9:30 or 10 p.m. Many were in their homes resting. You could see children running around as the moon shone above. I was lazy, my uncles thought, so I was left behind. The strong ones carried heavy containers full of liquor. Some time later, there was a police whistle blown. It was against us."]]>https://worcester.ma/2017/05/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-39-skipping-school-and-fooling-the-police/feed/0A Mother’s Journey [Part 44]: The one dedicated to momhttps://worcester.ma/2017/05/a-mothers-journey-part-44-the-one-dedicated-to-mom/
https://worcester.ma/2017/05/a-mothers-journey-part-44-the-one-dedicated-to-mom/#respondSun, 14 May 2017 05:21:27 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=117529“The ultimate sacrifice a woman can make is to lose herself in the hopes of saving someone else. While I can’t change the past, I can certainly change the future for my two daughters, Brooklyn and Evian, and repay my mom by succeeding as a game changer — in motherhood as much as in business.”]]>https://worcester.ma/2017/05/a-mothers-journey-part-44-the-one-dedicated-to-mom/feed/0The unbelievably true story of Augustine Kanjia continues … Part 38: Illicit April Brewing Rains on My Paradehttps://worcester.ma/2017/05/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-38-illicit-april-brewing-rains-on-my-parade/
https://worcester.ma/2017/05/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-38-illicit-april-brewing-rains-on-my-parade/#respondSun, 07 May 2017 04:23:56 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=115433“I was now in the fifth grade; it was then I started reading and writing a fair amount of English. My grandmother was proud of me. I loved being with her, but not in the bush for distilling the alcohol. The bush was not safe, I thought. I would sometimes voice my opinion, but I was called a coward and lazy boy.”]]>https://worcester.ma/2017/05/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-38-illicit-april-brewing-rains-on-my-parade/feed/0A Mother’s Journey [Part 43]: The road less traveledhttps://worcester.ma/2017/04/a-mothers-journey-part-43-the-road-less-traveled/
https://worcester.ma/2017/04/a-mothers-journey-part-43-the-road-less-traveled/#respondSun, 30 Apr 2017 04:24:56 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=112392https://worcester.ma/2017/04/a-mothers-journey-part-43-the-road-less-traveled/feed/0The unbelievably true story of Augustine Kanjia continues … Part 37: Grandmother’s New Business Opens Old Woundshttps://worcester.ma/2017/04/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-37-grandmothers-new-business-opens-old-wounds/
https://worcester.ma/2017/04/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-37-grandmothers-new-business-opens-old-wounds/#respondSun, 23 Apr 2017 04:23:46 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=109054“The first consignment of hard liquor was brewed. People started coming to the house to buy in bulk or by tot. I oversaw the money, because I was an honest boy. I kept to it and did not want to deviate. But boys had to be boys, always.”]]>https://worcester.ma/2017/04/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-37-grandmothers-new-business-opens-old-wounds/feed/0A Mother’s Journey [Part 42]: The accidental perspectivehttps://worcester.ma/2017/04/a-mothers-journey-part-42-the-accidental-perspective/
https://worcester.ma/2017/04/a-mothers-journey-part-42-the-accidental-perspective/#respondSun, 16 Apr 2017 04:43:48 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=106552https://worcester.ma/2017/04/a-mothers-journey-part-42-the-accidental-perspective/feed/0The unbelievably true story of Augustine Kanjia continues … Part 36: Signs of My Struggle Beginhttps://worcester.ma/2017/04/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-36-signs-of-my-struggle-begin/
https://worcester.ma/2017/04/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-36-signs-of-my-struggle-begin/#respondSun, 09 Apr 2017 04:50:35 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=104043“I was able to eat the daily meal — corn meal and bulgur — which was only given to students who paid their school fees. That was good luck on our part.” As his grandmother fights to make ends meet, good luck is certainly not in abundance for Augustine.]]>https://worcester.ma/2017/04/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-36-signs-of-my-struggle-begin/feed/0A Mother’s Journey [Part 41]: The place to start?https://worcester.ma/2017/04/a-mothers-journey-part-41-the-place-to-start/
https://worcester.ma/2017/04/a-mothers-journey-part-41-the-place-to-start/#respondSun, 02 Apr 2017 04:46:02 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=101036“Over the past five years, I have experienced the business renaissance in Worcester, and it is something to be proud of. There is seemingly no stopping the city’s growing startup movement. Except maybe one thing …”]]>https://worcester.ma/2017/04/a-mothers-journey-part-41-the-place-to-start/feed/0The unbelievably true story of Augustine Kanjia continues … Part 35: My Family Disintegrates After Pa Dieshttps://worcester.ma/2017/03/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-35-my-family-disintegrates-after-pa-dies/
https://worcester.ma/2017/03/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-35-my-family-disintegrates-after-pa-dies/#respondSun, 26 Mar 2017 04:19:04 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=96246“It was in 1963, a couple months before I was born. My dad died in the hospital. His first son, Richard, was quick to decide to return home and take over our dad’s riches, but he soon started wasting money and sold the diamonds dad left.” The challenges mount for Augustine, even before his mother brings him into the world.]]>https://worcester.ma/2017/03/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-35-my-family-disintegrates-after-pa-dies/feed/0The unbelievably true story of Augustine Kanjia continues … Part 34: Back to How It All Startedhttps://worcester.ma/2017/03/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-34-back-to-how-it-all-started/
https://worcester.ma/2017/03/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-34-back-to-how-it-all-started/#respondSun, 12 Mar 2017 05:53:48 +0000https://worcester.ma/?p=90523With his dear grandmother’s help, Augustine retraces his steps back to a remote village in Sierra Leone and then to Motema, his birthplace.]]>https://worcester.ma/2017/03/unbelievably-true-story-of-augustine-kanjia-continues-part-34-back-to-how-it-all-started/feed/0